The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation on ‘fairer food labelling’.

Defra is seeking views on Government proposals for clearer food labelling in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with an aim to ‘make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing food and allow them to choose products that align with their values’.

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, says: “We are thrilled that the UK Government has launched this eight-week consultation into clearer labels on how our pork, chicken and eggs are produced, however, we would also like to see this expanded to all animal products in the future.

“We have been campaigning for method of production labelling on animal products for years to give greater transparency to shoppers about how the animal has been cared for and to empower consumers to make an informed choice about the products they buy.

“Labels on imported products are especially important at a time when free trade agreements that don’t prioritise animal welfare risk lower welfare imports flooding our supermarket shelves. Greater transparency about these products will be a lifeline to hardworking, higher welfare British farmers who are at risk of being undercut by cheap, low welfare imported products.

“We urge the public to have their say in this consultation and help make mandatory animal welfare labelling a reality.”

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